Summary

King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced a motion that would task the County with creating a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program for King County residents.

Story

King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced a motion that would task the County with creating a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program for King County residents. The program would aim to encourage more people to get fully vaccinated to reach the County’s goal of fully vaccinating a minimum of 70% of all adults by the summer.

“We all want our businesses and communities to get back to normal as soon as possible but are already seeing a decline in both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Dunn said. “Providing King County residents with a tangible incentive is a positive way to encourage folks who might be sitting on the fence to get vaccinated.”

The legislation would create an incentive program for all King County residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after May 20, 2021. Example incentives include: vouchers for property tax or rent assistance, direct payments, vouchers or gift cards for goods or services, and prize drawings.

Currently, 69% (1,358,816) of King County residents eligible to receive a vaccine have received at least one dose, but only 54.9% (1,071,251) have been fully vaccinated. While many areas of the County are closing in on the 70% percent vaccination goal, South Seattle and Southeast King County are seeing vaccination rates as low as 45%.

The motion will be heard in the Committee of the Whole. If passed out of committee and full council, the King County Executive would transmit any necessary legislation to the Council and report on the progress of the program by June 16, 2021.